Commander's Corner - PEO STRI - U.S. Army

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MG Robert B. Brown 

Commanding General 

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Armor Evolution Tracked Amphibs STPE-I AEDC HULC 

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Armor & Mobility 

March 2011 

Contents 

Departments 

Evolution of Armor in Modern Combat 

By Joe Talley 

26 

BRAC Spotlight 

4 

The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq has influenced major change in the 

design and deployment of U.S. armor continuing through the firstever 

deployment of U.S. tanks in Afghanistan. 

Modern Tracked Amphibs: 

Role in USMC Operations 

By Lt. Gen. George Flynn 

As DoD continues to weigh the need for combined sea and land 

28 

30 

34 

FutureTech 

Asymmetric Warfare Developments 

Mission: Enemy Misfire 

Unmanned & Beyond 

9 

capable transport vehicles in current and future USMC ops, one 

former MCCDC leader gives a resounding “YES”. 

40 

Ad/Index/Calendar 

11 

Camp Armordillo: Sustaining Mission Success 

By Belinda Lee, RRAD PAO 

U.S. Army Camp Armordillo, Iraq is DoD’s key command facility for 

the housing of stored theater-provided equipment in Iraq (STPE-I), a 

critical source of supply for Afghan ops. 

20 

HULC: Lightening 

the Load 

By James Ni 

The latest in robotic exoskeleton 

technology provides soldiers with 

load-carrying relief. 

16 

Integrated ISR: JMRC Supports Joint Ops 

By Casey Bain and Marie La Touche 

The U.S. Army 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) has just 

completed Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) training 

in preparation for enhanced ISR asset integration during joint and 

coalition ops in Afghanistan. 

22 

Strategic Leadership 

PEO STRI 

By PAO PEO STRI 

The U.S. Army PEO STRI is 

providing responsive 

simulation, training and testing. 

21 

AEDC: Extending Air Asset Life 

By Phillip Lorenz III 

The U.S. Air Force is testing the limits of its F100-PW-229 engine, 

powering the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet aircraft, 

in an effort to achieve greater cycles between overhauls. 

31 

Rugged on the Move: 

Tactical ATVs 

By Kevin Hunter 

Remote-access ATVs are 

providing critical mobility solutions 

for warfighters. 

13 

Commander’s Corner 




Ft. Benning, GA 

35 

Emerging Forecast: 

AFMC 

By AFMC PAO 

U.S. Air Force Materiel 

Command conducts R&D, 

test and evaluation, providing 

acquisition management and 

logistics support. 

www.tacticaldefensemedia.com Armor & Mobility March 2011 | 1

Insights 

Bi-Monthly Publication 

As DoD prepares for the redeployment of joint forces supporting U.S. Central Command, 

greater focus is on the equipment and mobility platforms being redeployed from Iraq. 

Much of this mission materiel once critical to operations there is in a continual cycle of 

reset and re-fielding from depot-level overhaul to re-issue at staging points such as Camp 

Armordillo, Baghdad, Iraq. Though no longer needed in one theater, these assets remain 

vital to the Afghanistan mission. 

Bi-Annual Publication 

Quarterly Publication 

In the March issue of A&M, readers are immersed in the world of the warfighter, DoD’s 

most valued weapon. From the evolution of armor design and deployment to brigade 

combat team (BCT) integrated ISR training, an emphasis on force coordination is the order 

of the day. In an exclusive interview with Major General Robert Brown, Commander, U.S. 

Army Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE), Ft. Benning, GA, Gen. Brown speaks to the 

new role that a combined armor and infantry center will have in shaping the future of the 

Army’s mission. From a Marine Corps perspective, Lt. Gen. George Flynn (USMC-Ret.), 

offers his insights into the continued importance of tracked amphibious platforms. 

www.tacticaldefensemedia.com 

Tel: 301-974-9792 

Fax: 443-637-3714 

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P. O. Box 12115 

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contact@tacticaldefensemedia.com 

Home of DoD 

Annual Source Books 

From an Air Force viewpoint, A&M offers readers a perspective on engineering 

enhancements to F-15/16 engine propulsion capacity currently under testing. In this 

month’s Emerging Forecast, a profiled look at the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command 

provides readers a close up of one of the world’s top organizations for the development, 

test and evaluation of military air assets. The BRAC Spotlight column highlights Ft. Carson 

and the 2nd Brigade 2nd Infantry redeployment home while Unmanned & Beyond looks 

at the Army’s TALON robotic vehicle program as a critical component for future MRAP 

operations. 

As always, feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. Thanks for your 

readership! 

Kevin Hunter 

Editor, Armor & Mobility 

Tactical Defense Media 


301-974-9792 

First Tanks - Evolution of Armor Sends 

U.S. Tanks to Afghanistan 

In the first of a series, A&M offers readers a look at the 

evolution of armor in Afghanistan and the decision to send in 

the first U.S. tanks- Marine Corps’ Delta Company, 1st Tank 

Battalion. 


2 | Armor & Mobility March 2011 

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Evolution of Armor 

in Modern Combat 

By Joe Talley, Independent Security Consultant 

©2003 B Sean Fairburn 



March 2003: Kirkuk, Iraq- Coalition forces are barred from entering Northern Iraq 

through Turkey. Special Forces must now negotiate with Kurdish rebel leaders to persuade 

them to join the assault on Kirkuk and to help secure Northern Iraq. There is an obstacle, 

though- the Kurds are wary of partnering with coalition forces, given previous failures on 

their part to support the Kurds since the end of the Gulf War some 10 years earlier. They 

need a guarantee that the coalition will fully commit to the fight at H-Hour. That guarantee 

comes in the form of a battalion of US Army M1A1 tanks deployed from Germany on 

C-17s to support the attack. Soon after, Kirkuk falls to Kurdish and coalition forces to open 

the Northern Front in the War in Iraq. 

Far to the south, another group of tanks enters Iraq from the deserts of Kuwait. Marine 

forces, led by Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, US Marine Corps, would have it a little 

tougher, though- the Marines depart on a challenging journey north, including extensive 

fighting through formidable battles in Basrah, Numaniyah, Salman Pak, and eventually to 

the heart of Baghdad. 

That push to Baghdad represents the beginning of a revolution in the design and 

deployment of US armor that continues to today- through the first-ever deployment of US 

tanks in Afghanistan, to the desert of Helmand Province. The decision behind recently 

introducing a US Marine Corps tank company to the Afghan War represents the result of 

an evolution in the approach to modern armored warfare as a culmination of advances 

in materials, technology, and combat experience since the first American armored forces 

crossed the border into Iraq in Spring 2003. 

Training Ground for the Counterinsurgency Fight 

Even before the initial invasion, the military had repeatedly pushed for a transformation 

of forces to prepare itself for any number of contingencies and future battlefields. Within 

this context, it is important to understand the impact of the changes that have occurred in 

armored combat since 2003. 

Back then, a young tank company commander by the name of Captain Greg Poland 

led his Marine tanks through a series of dangerous battles as they fought their way across 

Iraq against both Soviet tanks and Saddam Fedayeen fighters. All of this was but training 

for some of the most challenging fighting to come. 

“I do not believe that the ‘success’ of Delta Company in 2003 during the March to 

Baghdad was necessarily unique”, says Greg. “We were simply a lucky group of Marines 

who were called upon to demonstrate our training and combat skills in actual combat.” He 

cautions though, “As a community, Tankers in the Marine Corps have learned hard lessons 

in Iraq since 2003, adapting to an emerging and evolving counterinsurgency” and having 

to evolve as warriors where “learning about your enemy and modifying your operations to 

defeat that enemy remains a constant over time.” 

While the warrior has evolved, his combat experiences have reinforced the need for 

technological improvements to the core M1 Abrams platform. By 2005, the US military 

began adding a package of components to its tanks called the TUSK, or ‘Tank Urban Survival 

Kit’. Army tanks benefitted from extra belly armor and additional reactive side armor and 

skirts to protect the track wheels. While now-Lieutenant Colonel Poland says the Marine 

leadership chose not to add the protective skirts to their tanks, all M1A1s with the TUSK 

package would eventually receive key components such as the CWS or Commander’s 

Remote Weapon Station, which allows the tank commander to independently scan for 

and engage secondary targets while the gunner identifies and engages the primary ones, 

and other additions such as armored shields to the commander’s position. Now, the TC 

does not have to expose himself when remotely firing the additional .50 caliber machine 

gun provided as part of the system. Finally, an important component of the TUSK package 

is the reinforced, Counter-IED Driver’s Seat, to further protect the driver from IED blasts. 


Taking Back Ramadi 

Then-Army Captain Tim Ferguson and his Warlord Company of 

18 M1A1 tanks didn’t have those add-ons yet, though, when they 

arrived in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006. His company, Charlie Co. 2-37 

Armor served as the sole tank company assigned to secure and 

hold the eastern side of Ramadi at the height of the 1st Brigade, 

1st Armored Division’s campaign to take back that city from the 

enemy. For Tim, early experiences taught him to always keep the 

tank’s front armor towards the enemy, but now it was a 360-degree 

enemy that one had to be constantly aware of. “Add in all the 

rest of a proper COIN campaign and the tank commander was a 

very busy guy.” Tim’s unit provides a comparative example to the 

current lone company deployment of tanks to Afghanistan. 

“The tank system today has matured to meet that threat we 

faced in Ramadi. The bones of it are the same, but the Abrams is 

now a completely different animal, more tailored to the environment 

and threat it will be dealing with in the future”, he said. When 

they deployed from Germany, they had yet to receive the TUSK 

packages and had only the standard M1A1 AIM (Abrams Integrated 

Management Overhaul Program) variants. 

Tim remembers hearing about the TUSK program and how 

significant it was for the armor community. Again, looking at the 

pictures, even some of the more minor additions to the tank have 

revolutionized its capabilities. 

“For years, Army units complained that they didn’t have the 

infantryman’s phone on the back of their tanks. In Ramadi, it 

would have been particularly useful to have them as we regularly 

responded to other units to include the Marine infantry battalion 

next door. It is much easier to grab a phone then worry about 

communication problems between units, trying to get on the same 

frequencies, etc.” 

“At the time, the guy on the ground would have to climb up 

onto the tank, or the commander would have to climb down, and 

in either case you are exposed to enemy fire. Then they would still 

have to yell over the sound of the engine to communicate face-toface. 

With the infantryman’s phone, the soldier would just grab the 

phone and talk directly to the crew- able to warn the tank about 

obstacles, identify a hidden enemy, ask for medical assistance 

if necessary, or more importantly, talk through the disposition of 

friendly forces in the area. Situational awareness is key and any tool 

that is simple and can add to that is a good thing.” 

Back then, Tim’s primary optic for the .50 caliber machine 

gun was the small daylight periscope – he didn’t have the TUSK’s 

thermal day and night system- which limited their ability to detect 

and engage targets with that weapon system. Even in 2007, 

when his company was replaced by C Co., 3-69 Armor from the 

3rd Infantry Division, he believes that this follow-on unit had yet to 

receive the Thermal Viewers as well. 

In reviewing the available pictures of the Marine M1A1s currently 

deployed to Afghanistan, Tim points out the Thermal Camera 

Viewer that can be seen on the front of each tank, as part of the 

CWS. This thermal site allows the commander to operate this 

system from inside the tank – giving him day and night, all-weather 

targeting and identification ability without exposing him to the 

constant sniper threat. 

Small Box over the right track is the infantryman’s phone (U.S. Army photo) 

Some of the most critical components of the TUSK package 

could not come soon enough. “The deep-buried IED was 

a signature threat in Ramadi- it was a weapon of choice of 

the insurgents to try and limit our avenues of approach into 

areas of the city, and the additional armor would have most 

likely improved the tanks’ survivability if they had had it then.” 

Towards the end of the company’s time in Ramadi, Tim lost one 

of his men, Specialist Douglas “DJ” Desjardins when a massive 

IED exploded directly underneath the driver’s station in the tank 

where he had been sitting. While the IED did not compromise 

the hull of the tank, without the extra belly armor, the bottom 

of the tank received the full force of the blast and killed him 

instantly. 

The Decision to Deploy 

Thermal Viewer - Immediately to the front and left of the Commander U.S. 

Marines with 1st Marine Division, 1st Tank Battalion, Delta Company, navigates 

the terrain of Helmand province, Afghanistan in a M1A1 Abrams Tank (U.S. 

Marine Corps photo). 


By October 2010, General Petraeus approved a Marine 

Corps request to introduce US tanks to Afghanistan. In 

conjunction with the recent deployment of the 3rd Battalion, 

8th Marines infantry battalion from the USS Kearsarge, Delta 

Company, 1st Tank Battalion Marines are currently executing 


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water supply across the giant plots of crops through endless mazes 

of ditches and irrigation canals. 

On February 18th, Major General Richard Mills, the top Marine 

Commander in Afghanistan, commented on Delta Company’s 

recent combat actions, including firing main gun rounds and 

engaging IED emplacers at long range. He also highlighted that 

three of the tanks themselves encountered IEDs with minimal 

damage and no casualties. 

Chuck Norris puts his arm around the tank’s driver, Specialist Douglass “DJ” 

Desjardins in front of the Chuck Norrise Tank (U.S. Army photo) 

their very first combat missions in Afghanistan since arriving in 

the Upper Gereshk Valley area of northern Helmand Province. 

After six months of deadly fighting in the area of Sangin (known 

by many as Afghanistan’s Falloujah, filled with enemy foreign 

fighters), Marine leaders developed a relationship with the local 

Alokozai Tribe, where the tribal members have agreed to expel 

foreign fighters and allow coalition patrols in exchange for an infusion 

of money and projects to the area. A unit held in reserve as part of 

a shipboard expeditionary force since September, 3/8 Marines was 

brought ashore to try to exploit this opportunity and secure one 

of the last trouble spots in the Sangin region. If successful, these 

Marines, with the support of Delta Company tanks, may have the 

opportunity to establish relationships with the first partner tribe in 

Afghanistan that could literally signify the beginning of the end to the 

war in that country, as it did for the War in Iraq. 

The Gereshk Valley starts just north of the Kandahar Highway 

(Highway 1) and Lashkar Gah, about midway between Marjah and 

Sangin along the green valley of the Helmand River. Similar to other 

rural areas in Helmand, the river crosses through the Gereshk Valley 

in a relatively flat patchwork of simple villages and their surrounding 

fields of poppy and other crops. With fairly little rain throughout 

most of the year, the villagers are masters at pushing the limited 

While there has not been any publicly released information 

regarding their current mission set, it can be inferred that the 

tanks are actively engaged in combat. They have either effectively 

provided overwatch as part of 3/8 Marines infantry operations, 

or they are providing MSR security on major roads between key 

logistical or operational hubs and are employing their weapons 

systems out to great distances during the day (using their 10x GPS- 

LOS sights) or at night (using the CITV or ITS- the remote thermal 

viewer) to take out the IED teams. 

The information regarding the IEDs and their limited impact is 

very important. It can further be inferred that the IEDs are typical 

to those often found in the rural areas of Helmand and are smaller 

and weaker (HMEs- fertilizer-derived Homemade Explosives) in 

comparison to daisy-chained artillery shell IEDs found in places like 

Falloujah and Ramadi. These Marines won’t experience casualties 

from locally produced IEDs. With its enhanced belly armor, the 

M1A1 Abrams is able to withstand the effects of the IED strikes 

that would have been serious enough to cause some severe 

casualties to non-tank, vehicle crew members as seen previously 

in Afghanistan. 

Using the War in Iraq as a reference, it is important to understand 

that while not all modern armor unit deployments may have made 

an overall positive impact during the course of war in terms of 

increasing security during their time on the battlefield, specific units 

like the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 1st Brigade, 1st 

Armored Division did in fact change the course of the war and were 

critical to increasing security and ending the conflict. It is likely that 

the successful employment of armor in Iraq directly influenced the 

decision to send armor to Afghanistan. 

Coming Next Month 

First Tanks - Evolution of Armor 

Sends U.S. Tanks to Afghanistan 

We follow the evolution of armor in Afghanistan and the decision 

to send in the first US tanks- the Marine Corps’ Delta Company, 

1st Tank Battalion. We also take a look at how the military’s armor 

schools and training are evolving to meet future threats on an 

uncertain battlefield. 

Map of Gereshk Valley (U.S. Army photo) 




Modern 

Amphibious 

Capability: 

Tradition Meets Necessity 

By Lt. Gen. George Flynn 

U.S. Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, VA 

“We ought not to look back, unless it is to 

derive useful lessons from past errors and 

for the purpose of profiting by dear bought 

experience.” 

– George Washington – 

There is no guarantee we will learn from the bloody 

combat lessons of the last century. The current penchant 

by some for questioning the Marine Corps’ need for an 

amphibious tracked vehicle suggests an ignorance of history 

and a lack of understanding of the future; it is unsupported 

by hard lessons learned, world trends, and a security 

environment characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. 

Our nation will most certainly require continued global access 

from the sea, and just as certainly there are forces at work 

that are actively and aggressively attempting to deny us that 

much needed access. 

The Secretary of Defense clearly stated that his decision 

to cut the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program does 

not call into question the amphibious assault mission of 

the Marine Corps. Moreover, he stated the requirement of 

developing a more affordable and sustainable amphibious 

tractor to provide the Marines a ship-to-shore capability 

into the future. 

Maritime Need 

As America’s expeditionary force in readiness, the 

Marine Corps specializes in rapidly deploying anywhere in 

the world to develop access through partnership building 

activities, to create access in response to crises, and to 

provide the ability to force access to deter and/or defeat 

threats. The Corps will never be defined by a program, but 

rather by the capabilities we bring to the fight. 

As a maritime nation, the tyranny of distance, geography, 

and topography remain constant challenges to our global 

influence. As demonstrated countless times, our ability to 

come from the sea and overcome the challenges of natural 

and manmade barriers allows us to protect and defend U.S. 

interests. Our continued ability to respond is dependent 

on our ability to operate in uncertain environments, create 

opportunities and ensure freedom of action regardless of 

access challenges. 

The Marine Corps has learned that amphibious operations 

should avoid fixed defenses whenever possible. This 

option is not always available, however. In such cases, the 

amphibious tracked vehicle is essential to success. The 

tracked amphibious vehicle provides the ability to perform 

three critical tasks: ship-to-shore movement, breakout from 


the beach and protected land mobility and firepower. As a 

result, the amphibious tracked vehicle has been a mainstay of 

amphibious capability. It has often proven the indispensible, 

enabling capability that Marines employ to both solve the 

sea/land mobility challenge and to gain advantage over our 

enemies. 

Proven Mainstay 

Recent operational experience and history attest to the 

effectiveness of amphibious tracked vehicles in providing the 

capability and capacity demanded by numerous operating 

environments—permissive, uncertain, or hostile. Most 

recently, amphibious tracked vehicles assisted in overcoming 

the devastated infrastructure in Haiti. These same vehicles 

were used to rescue stranded citizens and deliver relief 

supplies following Katrina’s devastation of the U.S. Gulf 

Coast in 2005. In the 1990s, these vehicles enabled relief 

efforts in Somalia during Operation RESTORE HOPE and 

subsequently provided the key capability necessary to safely 

withdraw U.N. forces in UNITED SHIELD. During the Korean 

War, these vehicles allowed us to project power from the 

sea at Inchon to reverse the looming defeat of U.S. forces 

trapped at Pusan. Given the proliferation of area denial 

weapons among both state and non-state actors, we believe 

that future operations—even those conducted for benign 

reasons—will be conducted under uncertain and highly 

dangerous conditions. 

Amphibious tracked vehicles employed from ships at 

sea provide the means to assure littoral access that no 

other capability can provide. They are the only combat 

vehicles built to operate effectively in the littorals: a 

complex environment of salt and fresh water, muddy marshes 

and estuaries, and dry land; rural, suburban and urban 

landscapes; wildly varying terrain; high to low population 

densities; and temperature extremes. They can quickly and 

seamlessly transit from ship-to-shore as well as swim rivers 

and negotiate inland water obstacles, providing the ability to 

achieve tactical and operational surprise. They protect their 

occupants as they maneuver on sea and land to a position 

of advantage and can close with an enemy or rescue our 

friends. Their known presence off shore historically has been 

a powerful deterrent and effective capability across the range 

of military operations. 

Sustain and Develop 

A modern amphibious tracked vehicle uses the sea 

as maneuver space, creates opportunities in the littorals, 

optimizes employment of amphibious forces, and enhances 

survivability in the face of area denial threats. An amphibious 

tracked vehicle is the proven means to overcome access 

challenges, natural or manmade, ranging from tsunamiravaged 

infrastructure to an armed aggressor seeking 

to oppose our maneuver. Amphibious tracked vehicles 

empower a flexible, ship-borne force to wait off shore for 

the opportunity to shape the security environment or alter an 

outcome. This unique capability provides our Nation with a 

critical power projection asset. 

There is no doubt that the sustainment and further 

development of our Nation’s amphibious capability is 

important for continued access to strategically vital regions 

of the world. We see a clear mandate to be ready to shape, 

influence, deter, and if necessary defeat would be forces that 

seek to deny us access. Meeting this mandate will allow us 

to profit “by dear bought experience” rather than repeat the 

errors of the past. 




Depots man STPE-I, Camp Armordillo 

By Belinda Lee, Public Affairs Officer, Red River Army Depot 

STPE-I, stored theater provided equipment-Iraq, is a key 

mission currently underway at Camp Armordillo, located in 

Baghdad, Iraq. The mission began in January 2010 and is 

spearheaded by Red River Army Depot with assistance from 

AMC sister depots Anniston and Tobyhanna Army Depots. 

Mission Readiness 

STPE-I houses an equipment fleet stored in the Iraq Joint 

Area of Operation (IJOA) and ready to issue to a unit to allow 

for full spectrum operation (FSO), if required once the combat 

mission in Iraq ends. The mission of STPE-I is to ensure combat 

tracked vehicles are fully mission capable (FMC) plus safety and 

sustained at that level. 

The vehicle fleet consists of Bradley Fighting Vehicles, M1 

Abrams, M109 Paladins, M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply 

Vehicle (FASVS) and the work horse of the fleet, the M88 Recovery 

Vehicle. Once all vehicles have met FMC level, STPE-I transitions 

to a preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) mode 

which requires annual services on each vehicle to maintain an 

operational readiness rate of above 90 percent. STPE-I must 

maintain a ready state to issue all vehicles immediately for any 

conflict requiring the services of these vehicles. 

The vehicles come from Fort Stewart, GA, through Kuwait 

and then trucked by secure convoy to the camp. The logistics 

of the operation is compounded by the security requirements of 

the deliveries and the required interaction with foreign nationals. 

Applying Lean principles has allowed the team to reduce fleet 

delivery processes from three hours to forty-five minutes per 

delivery. 

“Applying Lean principles comes natural for us. It is an 

everyday way of life at RRAD and we just automatically used 

those same principles in establishing this operation. Incoming 

drivers comment that usually when they make such deliveries 

it takes a full day.” “Our mission is to issue the fleet within 96 

hours of a request. Applying efficient lean principles and Safety 

procedures has afforded us the capability to more than meet the 

96 hour issue requirement,” said John Moore, former STPE-I 

site manager. 

Small and Capable 

The Camp Armordillo compound is a small area that requires 

personnel to be innovative in meeting the mission. Workers 

utilize their creative thinking in fabrication of needed parts to fulfill 

requirements. They build relationships with other services that 

prove valuable to both sides. Particularly valuable in completing 

missions are the joint endeavors with the Air Force. 

“Not only do we maintain a ready fleet for the soldier, we also 

provide an inventory of parts that accompany the vehicles when 

deployed with the units. These field parts give the units added 

insurance that they can complete their missions with our fleet of 

vehicles,” said Moore. 

Safety First 

Other business practices that the RRAD staff incorporated 

into the mission were their safety procedures. As the home 

depot seeks VPP Star status, the workforce has become 

equipped with automatic safety initiatives that enhance their 

work environment and the quality of their products. While 

working with servicing contractors and other units, those safety 

initiatives ‘rubbed-off’ on personnel outside the compound. 

“The 402nd Battalion Safety Officer visited the compound 

and stated he was there to perform a safety audit. Our safety 

officer provided job safety analyses for each work area and a 

formalized safety standard-operating-procedure for the mission. 

He found no violations,” said Moore. “For this type and size 

of operation, that is a remarkable accomplishment. We can 

attribute this to the instructions and training our personnel have 

received through the VPP Star journey at RRAD.” 

“Overall, the mission is very rewarding. As depots, we are 

able to go to the Soldier, use our skills and assist the Soldier in 

carrying out their mission. As Department of the Army Civilians, 

that is our ultimate goal,” said Moore. 



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Armor and 

Infantry = 

Synergy to win 

future fight 

Since 1918, Fort Benning has served as the Home of the 

Infantry. Since 1940, Fort Knox has served as the Home of the 

Armor. The transition to the Maneuver Center of Excellence 

began as a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure 

Commission’s decision to move the Armor School to Fort 

Benning. For years, these two branches have fought side by 

side on the battlefield. At the Maneuver Center of Excellence, 

these critical maneuver forces will train as they fight – together 

– and together, they will win! 

MG Robert B. Brown is the Commanding General of the 

Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) at Fort Benning, 

GA. He was commissioned an Infantry Second Lieutenant 

in 1981 upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at 

West Point. During his time at West Point, MG Brown was an 

accomplished student-athlete, playing basketball for Coach 

Mike Krzyzewski and serving as team captain during his senior 

season. 

MG Brown brings a diverse background of Light, Mechanized, 

and Stryker assignments to Fort Benning, to include command 

at every level from company to brigade. As former commander 

of the Army’s second Stryker Brigade Combat Team out of Ft. 

Lewis, WA, for three and a half years – to include a 12-month 

rotation to Mosul, Iraq – MG Brown later served as the Deputy 

Commanding General of the 25th Infantry Division, where he 

deployed a second time to northern Iraq. During his career, 

MG Brown has also supported Operation Uphold Democracy 

in Haiti and Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

Q: Please talk about your role as Commanding General 

of the Maneuver Center of Excellence (include previous 

experience that has prepared you for this role). 

A: My main role at the Maneuver Center of Excellence is to 

maintain a strategic-level viewpoint to ensure we are preparing 

the Army for the current fight, as well as preparing the Army for 





the future – It is critical to get this right. 

It is important I empower our two commandants – Armor and 

Infantry, to prepare for the current fight and to look to the future. 

We have had a lot of lessons learned and significant changes 

in our Army. Our enemy today is different as well. We may not 

see massed formations on a linear battlefield; it is more likely 

the enemy is a hybrid threat in a complex environment. 

I want to ensure the leaders and soldiers at Fort Benning have 

what they need to get the job done, while guiding them as we 

focus on the future. This includes everything – from the right 

leader development and training, to the right organizational 

structure and equipment. 

My goal is to empower and guide our center in strategic 

visioning as we fully support an Army at war now, and prepare 

for the future. 

I’ve been able to learn a lot about team building during my 

career. And that’s imperative as we meet the requirements 

of the job at hand – the task of completing the move of the 

Armor School to Fort Benning. We are taking two very distinct 

branches – Armor and Infantry – and bringing them together 

while maintaining their unique identity and lineage. 



Q: Please talk about MCoE’s mission and role as part of the 

Army armor and infantry community, as well as the greater 

joint Department of Defense spectrum. 

The role of the Maneuver Center of Excellence is not to combine 

the Armor and Infantry branches. They are unique and distinct 

branches and they need to remain that way. They each bring 

a very critical background, a rich history and tradition, and a 

unique perspective to the current fight. However, they do need 

to train the way they are going to operate, train the way they 

are going to fight – together. 

We have seen from the last nine years of fighting that these 

two forces have to collaborate and cooperate to successfully 

engage and destroy the enemy. These two branches have 

proven they can integrate effectively in battle, so it is only 

appropriate they integrate in training. We must train as we 

fight! 

I mean think about it, as an Infantry officer, you don’t want 

the first time you are tasked to plan a mission including 

tanks to be while deployed in combat – and, vice versa as 

an Armor officer. You have to know what each one is capable 

of – what are its strengths, what are its weaknesses, how can 

we communicate and share intelligence? The integration of 

mounted and dismounted units is a key to success for our 

Army’s future. 

An example of this integration is enabling the mounted and 

dismounted to share situational awareness and a common 

operating picture, while being linked to the same network. 

Our mounted platforms have kept pace with advancements in 

protection, communication, and networking capability with all 

of the many Army battle command systems such as Blue Force 

Tracker and FBCB2. However, despite all the advancements of 

our mounted platforms, we still lack the ability to network our 

dismounted force – the Tactical Small Unit – into a common 

operating picture with improved situational awareness. 

We are spending more money per soldier, and they are 

well-trained and well-armed. They are better protected and 

their ability to engage with precision has risen exponentially. 

However, the network capability of our mounted systems has 

to be extended to these tactical small units. Our vehicle crews 

have to be able to cross-talk and more importantly, share 

situational awareness and a common operating picture with 

our dismounted soldiers. 

The MCoE is putting a huge strategic-level emphasis on the 

soldier as a system. That is spending more at the tactical small 

unit level and focusing on the squad as a team. Our goal is to 

enable mounted and dismounted to be linked more effectively, 

and share better situational awareness and a common 

operating picture when they are on the ground and separated 

from the vehicle. 

This communication connectivity is good for all of the forces. 

It does not matter if we are conducting stability operations, 


a disaster response, wide-area security, combined arms 

maneuver or full-spectrum operations; each and every member 

plays a role in the success of the operation and needs shared 

situational awareness, a common operating picture and an 

ability to link into the network. 

The Maneuver Center can effectively take on this challenge. 

It requires both Armor and Infantry together. Alone, each 

could try to resolve the issue. However, it makes better sense 

for them to meet the requirement together. They can move 

us forward, so we’ll get to the point where the dismounted 

element – squad, tactical small unit – has better situational 

awareness and is using the technological advantage we have 

available today for our mounted forces. 

The Maneuver Center of Excellence directly impacts the 

entire Department of Defense spectrum as we work with all 

of the forces to collaborate, share best practices and lessons 

learned. All of the forces, and rightly so, have been consumed 

with the current fight and operations. The MCoE is developing 

opportunities for enhanced across-the-board dialogue, using 

forums and seminars, as well as websites, blogs and emerging 

technology. We want to provide avenues for these discussions 

and encourage everyone to play a role in helping to prepare 

all of our forces for the future. I am not necessarily talking 

about the service members who are currently involved in 

combat operations, those members are still busy. I am talking 

about those members who have returned home and have the 

opportunity to focus on the future effort. 

Q: From a joint and coalition global perspective, how is 

MCoE addressing the need for enhanced training, in keeping 

our soldiers ready to work with other national forces and a 

step ahead of their international counterparts? 

A: The key to training for future operations is what we call 

the blended training model. Rote repetition is still a major part 

of our training strategy – the technical, tactical and physical 

– everything from marksmanship, good physical training, and 

technical training. 

In the past, that was good enough for us to be successful – 

now it is not. We still have to do the rote repetition, but we 

also have to do more. You have to get at incorporating the 

challenges of the operating environment we will face anywhere 

in the world. 

It’s an overwhelming and vast amount of information; it’s a 

noncontiguous battlefield against an enemy who leverages 

technology, a complex operating environment, and an ability to 

work effectively with our Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental 

and Multinational partners. Therefore, you have to use what 

we call live, virtual, constructive and gaming simulations to 

create those scenarios. 

The technology exists and it is up to the Army to collaborate 

with our industry and allied partners to bring our tactical small 

units online with our mounted platforms. We must develop a 



network that is accessible in training – using the live, virtual, 

constructive and gaming environment – and also can be 

plugged into a secure network while deployed. 

We have to close the gap in our nation’s technology and 

training. In this time of declining resources, live, virtual, 

constructive and gaming will allow us to train with Allied 

nations in realistic environments and is cost effective. That is 

one way to close the gap that may exist between our nations. 

Only by doing this, will we truly be able to train as we operate. 

Q: From an enterprising perspective, how is MCoE working 

to promote partnering with industry in delivering more 

effective and efficient know-how to the warfighter? 

A: At the Maneuver Center, we tie in closely with the battle labs 

and with industry. We host a large Industry Day event once a 

year, and several small ones throughout the year. We share 

with them what we are thinking, show them what we perceive 

to be the key concepts for the future and get their input. This 

dialogue gives them direction. Their innovations have saved 

many of my soldiers’ lives and their support is terrific. 

An example of our collaboration can be seen in more emphasis 

being put on the dismounted soldier and the squad as a team. 

We are letting industry know that we see that as a need, so 

now they can look for innovative ways to meet this need. 

Maybe it’s a Smart Phone on a soldiers’ wrist with a screen 

that won’t break. Empowered by the knowledge of what we 

need, industry can start developing items to support these 

needs in the future. 

I also think industry does a much better job of getting the 

soldiers’ input early on as compared to 10-15 years ago. In 

the past, that dialogue began too late in the process, resulting 

in the delivery of equipment that wasn’t quite user friendly for 

the warfighter – maybe it was too heavy or not durable. Now, 

we see our industry partners getting the soldiers’ input very 

early on in the process and across the spectrum. It has a huge 

impact. We are seeing equipment tested in direct correlation 

with soldiers’ input making it more likely we’ll meet future 

requirements. 

Q: What are some of MCoE’s biggest successes before/ 

since you assumed command? 

A: The Maneuver Center has had a lot of successes long 

before I got here. The success of the MCoE is its great soldiers 

and tremendous leaders. They are all constantly working and 

moving forward. 

I think one of the most important things that has been done 

recently is getting the force to look more to the future. In 

making sure that as we have the Armor and Infantry here, 

united in training and development, they stay unique and 

separate, while also building on each other’s strengths. 

MCoE success also has a long-term impact. It will set us up for 

future success by ensuring our units have the right equipment, 

the right organizational structure, and can be effective in 

tomorrow’s fight. 

Q: What are some of MCoE’s biggest challenges from an 

at-war armor and infantry training perspective, as the nation 

continues to combat asymmetric and terrorist threats today 

and in the future? 

A: As a nation, we have many lessons learned to draw from 

due to the last nine years of fighting a ruthless and unrelenting 

enemy. And while we have these lessons learned, when you 

look at such a high-operating tempo, none of us has had the 

time to effectively capture all that is out there. Our challenge 

is to be able to slow down enough to capture those best 

practices and lessons learned, then use them to help shape 

the future force. This is critical. 

The other challenge we face is getting everyone on board 

with the blended training model. There is a good segment of 

the force that believes simulations are just nice to do, and 

that a simulation is a good add-on to rote repetition, but 

not essential. I would say that the use of simulations now is 

absolutely essential in training the way we are going to operate 

in the future. We have to put soldiers and leaders through the 

complications of the operating environment today and in the 

future, before they face them for real. 

I understand there are physical challenges with simulation 

centers and that some installations do not have the tools 

they need because they are costly in the near term. Everyone 

needs to realize that money will be saved in the long term; 

there will be a significant return on the investment. We also 

are faced with the disbelief that to truly train the way you are 

going to operate, you have to use the blended training model 

– something I believe to be a key to future success. 

Feel free to discuss any continuing goals and objectives the 

MCoE is working. 

Viewing the dismounted soldier as a system is critical to 

enabling the same technological advancements as with 

mounted counterparts. We have to get the dismounted linked 

with the mounted and provide them with the same situational 

awareness and common operating picture. 

Also, just preparing the force for the future is absolutely 

critical, both in terms of technology, equipment, and leader 

development and training. We have to continue to lean forward. 

Change is always hard. But, to prepare for the future properly, 

it takes change. We have to really look at how we can work 

through the challenges – funding challenges, challenges of not 

enough time, and the challenges of a current high-operational 

tempo – so that we can truly shape the force for the future. 



Joint, coalition partners prep 

IBCT for combat in Afghanistan 

By Casey E. Bain and Marie La Touche, JFIIT, USJFCOM 

Soldiers from the 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team 

(IBCT), Baumholder, Germany, and joint and coalition partners 

from eight nations completed a unique exercise at the Joint 

Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) that focused on 

enhancing joint and combined fires, as well as improving the 

integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance 

(ISR) assets to better prepare the unit for the irregular warfare 

environment they will face in Afghanistan. 

This capstone training event for the 170th IBCT included 

vital support from the U.S. Air Force Europe (USAFE) Warrior 

Preparation Center, known as the Bullseye Team, and U.S. 

Joint Forces Command’s (USJFCOM) Joint Fires Integration 

and Interoperability Team (JFIIT) in Hohenfels, Germany. 

“The work done by JFIIT, USJFCOM and USAFE provided 

us additional capabilities and allowed us to do things like 

(provide) continuous virtual unmanned aircraft systems and 

close air support (CAS), even if we didn’t have those assets 

flying live here,” said Army Col. John Spiszer, commander, 

JMRC. “That’s a significant advantage for the units training 

here, and when you integrate the multinational forces into the 


mix, it’s a real good situation and separates us from the other 

training centers.” 

More than 4,000 participants from all four U.S. military 

services and eight coalition partners including Albania, 

Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Poland, 

Romania, and Slovenia participated in this three-week long 

exercise. 

“The JMRC, USAFE, and USJFCOM team are great examples 

of how we can integrate our coalition partners into a firstclass 

training environment that benefits the entire team,” said 

Marine Corps Maj. Kevin Moody, JFIIT’s JMRC lead. “This 

training will help the entire fires team shorten their learning 

curve and will improve the integration of coalition assets 

so the ground commander can more efficiently leverage all 

available capabilities in Afghanistan.” 

The exercise integrated a variety of joint enablers to 

replicate the resources that the BCT commander will have 

to support the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) 

in Afghanistan. 


“Our primary mission is to assist the command in their 

efforts to achieve a joint environment for each rotational unit 

that comes here to train,” said Ervin Cade, lead contractor, 

USJFCOM’s Joint National Training Capability Support 

Element, Hohenfels, Germany. “The goal is to provide JMRC 

with joint enablers like JFIIT, Special Operations Forces 

elements, the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat 

Organization (JIEDDO), and others to create an accurate and 

realistic training environment that will foster greater integration 

and understanding between joint and multinational partners 

before they deploy. Ultimately, it makes us a better combined 

team and will save lives in the process.” 

JFIIT helped integrate several joint intelligence, surveillance, 

and reconnaissance (JISR) assets to facilitate the joint fires 

targeting process for the training unit during the exercise. 

“Without the support from JFIIT, we couldn’t do our mission 

of integrating CAS training for USAFE into the Army’s MRE at 

JMRC,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Scotty Briscoe, commander, 

Detachment 2, Warrior Preparation Center in Hohenfels. “As 

the tactical level arm of USAFE, our goal is to support the 

Air Support Operations Squadrons (ASOS) that train here so 

they can better integrate and support the ground scheme of 

maneuver just as they will when they’re deployed.” 

“The stated mission of the Taliban is to defeat NATO and 

kick NATO out of Afghanistan,” said Army Brig. Gen. Steven 

Salazar, commander, Joint Multinational Training Command, 

Grafenwoehr, Germany. “What we’re doing is NATO training by 

preparing our units, as well as our coalition partners, for NATO 

operations in Afghanistan. No other combat training center 

(CTC) is doing that. Helping us accomplish that are our joint 

enablers, like JFIIT. I can’t think of a single joint enabler that we 

have not been able to employ; they’re all absolutely essential.” 

“These joint assets help round us out and provide crucial 

resources that we couldn’t otherwise provide to the training 

audience,” said Army Maj. Sherman Watson, plans chief, 

JMRC. “Our goal is to replicate the operational environment 

from in-theater so the rotational training unit learns how to 

leverage those capabilities before they actually deploy. The 

joint fires training and JISR integration is an important part of 

what we’re providing to both U.S. and multinational units that 

come here to train.” 


Providing a realistic and challenging multinational training 

environment is just one of the unique advantages to training 

at JMRC, according to participants at the exercise. 

“The training here has been spot on,” said Army Chief 

Warrant Officer Philip White, Apache attack helicopter pilot 

from 3-159 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, Ansbach, 

Germany. “The opportunity to train at a world-class facility 

with so many joint and coalition partners has been incredible. 

I think we’re all learning a lot of valuable lessons from each 

other and that will make us a better team when we deploy.” 

I’ve been impressed with many of our multinational partners 

that are here training with us, especially the German joint 

fires observers (JFOs), said White. “They’re as good as I’ve 

seen and I think we mesh our skills together quite well.” 

“Our ability to integrate JISR assets into our targeting process 

has been superb,” said Army Capt. Jamen Miller, intelligence 

officer, 2-18 Infantry Battalion, 170th IBCT, Baumholder, 

Germany. “This is the first time that many of us have had the 

opportunity to work with many of these enablers that we’ll 

see once we’re deployed. This training will absolutely benefit 

the entire unit.” 

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Soldiers from the 170th IBCT from Baumholder, Germany conduct a patrol with 

air-ground support from the Czech Republic and Germany as they trained for their 

upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. (Photo: Casey Bain, JFIIT, USJFCOM) 

“The training at JMRC has been very useful,” said Polish 

Special Forces Warrant Officer C. Charles, joint terminal 

attack controller (JTAC). “The familiarization training that 

we receive by working with many of our key partners is 

valuable and will be important to the speed in which we can 

successfully integrate together once we’re in Afghanistan.” 

Enhancing air-ground integration and CAS skills of both U.S. 

and multinational participants were some of the benefits of 

the exercise. 

“The training here is about combined fires not just joint fires,” 

added Moody. “The unique nature of this training center 

is that it provides exceptional air-to-ground training for the 

entire joint and multinational team that accurately replicates 

what is occurring in theater.” 

“JMRC is the quintessential mission readiness training 

exercise that provides both U.S. and coalition units, JTACs, 

JFOs, and aircrews with the skills they need to effectively 

work together to achieve both lethal and nonlethal effects 

on the battlefield,” said David Williams, JFIIT lead analyst in 

Germany. “This training will ultimately ensure the IBCT staff 

principles have a greater understanding and appreciation of 

joint and multinational enablers, and how to tactically employ 

them to their advantage.” 

According to senior leaders, the ability to forge important 

relationships with both joint and multinational partners is a 

strength that the command will build on to enhance training 

at JMRC for the foreseeable future. 

“We work with virtually all the partner contributing nations 

in Europe and stretching into Central Asia, Georgia, and a 

lot of the Eastern European countries, like Romania, Poland, 

the Czech Republic, and Slovenia,” Spiszer added. “We’ve 

got a great joint and multinational team that encompasses 

so many important enablers. Together, we create a more 

realistic training environment which translates into greater 

success downrange where it matters most.” 

MAY 3–5. 2011 

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HULC: 

Lightening 

the Load 

The U.S. Army, in conjunction with Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business unit in 

Orlando, Florida, will be testing the latest in robotic exoskeleton technology to provide soldiers 

with relief from the bulk of back-mounted supplies critical to mission success. 

By James Ni, HULC Program Manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control 

The latest generation of the Human Universal Load 

Carrier (HULC) soldier exoskeleton was introduced 

by Lockheed Martin this past fall and is touted to be 

a more robust, ruggedized system. The HULC offers 

warfighters a load carriage platform capable of carrying 

up to 200 lbs distributed between the front and back, 

operating for up to 20km on a single charge. The 

only battery powered, hydraulically-actuated system 

marketed toward the military, the HULC weighs 82 

lbs standalone and can be augmented with multiple 

application specific attachments. A lift assist device 

attached to the HULC would enable a front lift capacity of 150 

lbs, without the user feeling a pound of it. 

“When wearing HULC, a user has the capability of carrying 

upwards of 200 lbs of dead weight without feeling the stress of 

that weight at all. The weight is transferred thru the machine,” 

said Keith Maxwell, Lockheed Martin’s HULC Business 

Development manager. “From a soldier’s perspective, moving 

critical supplies, or even a wounded fellow soldier, can be the 

difference between a life saved and mission completed.” 

James Ni 

Lockheed Martin 

Fully loaded, a HULC user can actually move 

at walking or even running speeds of 0-7 mph 

without any stress from the load being transferred. 

While the system transfers weight to the ground, 

the soldier must still manage the inertia and 

depending on specific load weight, users will 

experience a difference in stopping distances from 

a dead run. 

“The HULC exoskeleton was developed to address 

critical military concerns,” said Maxwell. “These concerns 

include reducing load carriage injuries by transferring the 

weight of soldiers’ loads from the user onto the exoskeleton 

and reducing soldier fatigue by decreasing the metabolic 

cost of carrying heavy loads for prolonged periods. Lockheed 

Martin has developed and matured a game-changing 

technology to address these concerns.” 

For more info: www.lockheedmartin.com/mfc 



AEDC provides the warfighter with critical assets 

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TN. –Bagram Air Base, 

Afghanistan is approximately 7,300 miles from Arnold 

Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in Middle, 

Tennessee, but the work being done at AEDC directly 

impacts the warfighter in that remote region. In fact, 

ground testing on a range of weapons systems at 

AEDC provides the war-winning capabilities needed at 

innumerable locations globally. 

Prolonged Power 

One example of this influence is AEDC’s role in testing 

the F100-PW-229 engine powering the F-15 Eagle and 

F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet aircraft. The command 

goal in testing the engine was to ensure it would run 6,000 

Total Accumulated Cycles (TAC) between depot overhauls, 

providing the warfighter with an enduring asset. TAC is a 

unit of measurement for major rotating engine components 

used to track service life. 

“This 6,000 TAC engine’s depot maintenance interval is 

[now] 10 years versus seven years for 4,300 TAC engines 

with a 30 percent life cycle cost reduction and significant 

safety benefits,” said Mike Dent, an Air Force test manager 

at AEDC. 

The F100-PW-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) 

engine tested at AEDC is the most current operational version 

available to power the Air Force fleet of F-15 and F-16 fighter 

jets and is currently being flown by U.S. allies. 

“There is immeasurable value to the field from the 

increased availability of the engines to support the warfighter 

both in terms of less maintenance and longer life spans,” said 

Lt. Col. James Peavy, director of the Turbine Engine Ground 

Test Complex. “This testing lets us develop a more robust 

engine and gives us a chance to look at the performance of 

improved parts for fielding later.” 

Simulation Sensation 

Also accomplished by engineers and support personnel 

at AEDC was ground testing of a missile plume simulator 

to test airborne sensors deployed by the U.S. military to 

locate, avoid and evade threats posed by hostile forces using 

shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles. 

The recent certification of an AEDC-built and tested 

Towed Airborne Plume Simulator (TAPS) has provided the 

Center for Countermeasures (CCM) with a vital component 

for developing sensors to counter the threat posed by manportable 

air-defense systems (MANPADS), according to Dr. 

Robert Hiers, Aerospace Testing Alliance’s technical fellow for 

instrumentation and diagnostics technology at AEDC. 

“The CCM now has an accurate missile simulator, an 

operationally-ready asset that can be towed 100 to 1,000 

meters behind an aircraft to test missile-warning sensors 

on military aircraft and allow for either evasive or defensive 

action,” Hiers said 

The Towed Airborne Plume Simulator (TAPS), one of four, has been flight 

tested and validated following initial test runs at AEDC in 2007. (Photo by 

David Housch) 




Connecting Battlespace and Warfighter 

The U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) is on a 

perpetual mission: Preparing today’s combat soldier for tomorrow’s combat challenges. 

Submitted by PEO STRI Public Affairs 

The U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, 

Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) provides responsive 

simulation, training and testing solutions for the nation and 

its warfighters. PEO STRI offers lifecycle support for the U.S. 

Army’s advanced training systems around the world. 

PEO STRI executes programs valued at more than $3 billion 

with a workforce of nearly 1,200 military, civilian, and inhouse 

contractor personnel and is responsible for sustaining 

335,000 training systems at 480 sites worldwide, including 

19 foreign countries. The organization’s Acquisition Center 

manages more than 950 contracts valued at more than $10 

billion. In addition, PEO STRI’s Foreign Military Sales program 

supports countries around the world. Headquartered in 

Central Florida’s Research Park, the organization also has 

geographically separated offices in Redstone Arsenal, AL, Ft. 

Bliss, TX, and Ft. Huachuca, AZ. 

Every soldier deployed to a theater of operation has trained 

on a PEO STRI training device. 

As the U.S. Army experiences a drawdown in Iraq and places 

an increased emphasis on operations in Afghanistan, PEO 

STRI proudly remains the nation’s premier provider of training 

devices for the American soldier. 

Currently, PEO STRI supports a wide range of training activities 

that prepare Soldiers for the full spectrum of operations in 

Afghanistan. 

For instance, the organization—in partnership with its 

industry partners—enhanced the Common Driver Trainer 

program to include the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV). 

With guidance from Headquarters, Department of the Army, 

and the expertise from industry, PEO STRI was able to field 

M-ATV driver trainers very quickly. The M-ATV variant for 

the Common Driver Trainer allows Soldiers to drive these 

vehicles before they get to Afghanistan and under a number 

of hazardous driving conditions like narrow roadways and 

inclement weather. 

The Army looks at the Common Driver Trainer program as 

a prime example of efficiency. This family of simulators has 

stepped up to the plate time and time again to meet the training 

requirements of our Army. Using common components, 

the simulator can be transformed to train Soldiers to drive 

everything from a Stryker to a tank to an MRAP. 

Additionally, PEO STRI recently integrated the geo-specific 

terrain database for Afghanistan into the Common Driver 

Trainer program. Because of these efforts, U.S. soldiers 

can virtually “drive” on the streets of Afghanistan. Similarly, 

they added the Afghanistan database into the Close Combat 

Tactical Trainer, Call for Fire Trainer and Aviation Combined 

Arms Tactical Trainer, thereby allowing soldiers to virtually 

train in their actual assigned deployment locations. 

PEO STRI is also helping soldiers right here on the home 

front. Most notably, in September 2010, the organization— 

in coordination with the special operations community— 

fielded the first Soldier Tracking System to Ft. Bragg, N.C., 

and made the grueling land navigation exercise safer for 

Green Beret candidates. The Multiple Integrated Laser 

Engagement System and Initial Homestation Instrumentation 

Training System were moved from Alaska—where they were 

simulating combat during force-on-force training exercises— 

to Ft. Bragg in order to track soldiers navigating the course. 

PEO STRI understands that, in order to continually meet 

the high-demands of the Army, they must maintain a highlytalented 

and seasoned workforce. For this reason, in 2008, 

the Acquisition Academy was created. To date, the Academy 

has introduced 73 interns to the federal government, and 

along with them has come fresh ideas and eager attitudes. In 

fact, 97 percent of all the Acquisition Academy interns are still 

contributing members of the Department of Defense. 

PEO STRI is proud to support the American soldier. Playing 

a pivotal role in giving soldiers the decisive edge in defending 

the nation, STRI works tirelessly to provide our warfighters 

with the most technologically advanced training devices so 

they can accomplish their missions and return home safely 

to their families. 





PEO 

Dr. James Blake 

DPEO 

Mr. Rob Reyenga 

APEO 

Business Operations 

Mr. Ken Wheeler 

PM Trade 

COL Mike Flanagan 

PM CATT 

COL Francisco Espaillat 


Project Support 

Ms. Traci Jones 

PM ConSim 

COL Karen Saunders 

PM ITTS 

COL Mike Zarbo 

Acquisition Center 

Mr. Joe Giunta 


Customer Support 

Mr. Pete Marion 

PM Field OPS 

Mr. Russ McBride 

PM FFS 

Mr. Bob Capote (acting) 


Special Staff 




PEO STRI Project Management Offices 

Project Manager for Combined Arms Tactical Trainers 

(PM CATT) 

PM CATT manages the development, acquisition, fielding 

and life-cycle support of the virtual synthetic environment and 

associated training aids, devices, simulators and simulations 

to support individual, institutional and collective training. 

PM CATT refers to a group of high-fidelity, interactive, 

manned simulators; command, control and communications 

workstations; exercise control stations; after-action review 

systems; and the virtual combined arms synthetic environment 

used to support virtual training up to the battalion and task 

force level. PM CATT’s virtual synthetic environment includes 

large-scale virtual terrain representations with synthetic 

natural environment effects and accredited computer 

generated forces that replicate adjacent, supporting and 

opposing forces. 

Project Manager for Constructive Simulation 

(PM ConSim) 

PM ConSim acquires, fields and sustains constructive 

simulations and integrated simulation environments to support 

Army Battle Command and Intelligence collective training 

requirements. Constructive simulations and integrated multidomain 

environments are the most effective and efficient 

means to train commanders and staffs from company to 

theater level. PM ConSim supports training transformation, 

Army Force Generation and the modular force providing 

tailored-made integrated environments for collective training 

objectives across the full spectrum of military operations. 

Project Manager for Field Operations (PM Field OPS) 

PM Field OPS provides worldwide operations, maintenance, 

sustainment and instructional support of training systems used 

by the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and multinational 

coalition forces. PM Field OPS uses three training services 

contracts to accomplish its mission of providing integrated 

live, virtual and constructive training worldwide. The three 

contracts are the Warfighter FOCUS contract, the Artillery, 

Chemical and Air Defense contract and the Flight School XXI 

training services contract. 

Project Manager for Instrumentation, Targets and 

Threat Simulators 

PM ITTS was established in 1990 at Aberdeen Proving 

Ground, Md., to provide centralized acquisition of the 

research, development, production and fielding of test assets 


and investments in support of full-spectrum, developmental 

and operational testing for the U.S. Army. PM ITTS is the 

life-cycle manager of major test instrumentation, aerial and 

ground targets, and threat simulators and systems, as well 

as the manager of the operation and maintenance of targets 

and threats for developmental and operational test and 

evaluation. Additionally, PM ITTS is the executor for programs 

and funding of Army-led Office of the Secretary of Defense 

Central Test and Evaluation Investment Program. 

Project Manager for Training Devices 

PM TRADE is the Army’s solution provider for collective 

instrumented live training systems. PM TRADE’s mission is 

to develop, acquire, field and sustain a family of interoperable 

live training solutions for use at homestation, Combat Training 

Centers and deployed sites to improve Warfighter readiness 

in peacetime and in war. Managing the acquisition of training 

systems to meet the user’s requirements, the goal is to deliver 

the systems on schedule and within cost and to provide lifecycle 

management to ensure the best value products for the 

Army and joint service customers. 

PEO STRI Acquisition Center 

PEO STRI’s Acquisition Center provides sound business 

advice and tailored contracting and acquisition solutions to 

acquire a variety of products and services managed by PEO 

STRI in support of the U.S. Army and the Nation’s security. It 

serves as an Acquisition and Contracting Center of Excellence 

that focuses on customer satisfaction; promotes innovative 

and flexible business practices, calculated risk-taking, 

empowerment and partnering with industry; and emphasizes 

diversity in the workforce and professional development. 

Three Pillar Contracts 

Simulation and Training Omnibus Contract (STOC II) 

Awarded in January 2009, STOC II provides the Warfighter with 

the next generation of simulation and training devices to meet 

the challenges of the joint operational environment. STOC II 

is not only a continuation but an evolution of its predecessor, 

STOC I. The omnibus contracting vehicle awarded a total of 

142 contracts spread over two lots: Lot I, Full and Open Lot 

(consisting of small and large businesses), and Lot II, Small 

Business Set-Aside. These awards resulted in multipleaward, 

indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts that will 

provide troops with simulation, training and instrumentation 

products and services beginning with concept development 

and continuing through life-cycle support. 




Warfighter Field Operations Customer Support Contract 

(Warfighter FOCUS) 

Warfighter FOCUS is a contract that fully integrates the live, 

virtual and constructive training services at Army installations 

worldwide. As the Army continues to field an increasing 

number of interoperable training systems, the Warfighter 

FOCUS contract provides a fully-integrated contractor 

workforce to operate and maintain them. Furthermore, the 

contract will allow PEO STRI to provide a more rapid response 

to Department of the Army requests. 

Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance Services 

(SETA) Contract 

An indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for SETA 

services was awarded in August 2009 with a period of 

performance of five years. The SETA contract provides 

systems engineering and technical support services for 

PEO STRI and other federal agencies worldwide. The 

services include providing responsive, integrated and 

interoperable infrastructure for simulation, training, testing, 

and instrumentation solutions and acquisition services for the 

Warfighters and the Nation. 

For more info: www.peostri.army.mil 

For your complimentary 

subscription, please 

visit our website at 

tacticaldefensemedia.com 

Patent Pending 

EXTREME RUGGED 

ENVIRONMENT 

MEETS 

EXTREME RUGGED 

MOBILITY 

Gamber-Johnson introduces a new type of computer docking station for tactical applications. 

The RECON dock is designed to work with the Panasonic Toughbook 19 computer. 

• SPACE, WEIGHT AND POWER –(SWAP): Low Profile/Small Footprint design, constructed using light-weight 

stainless steel and aluminum materials. Includes an 18V-32V ruggedized power supply. 

• CORROSION RESISTANCE: Stainless steel and conversion coated aluminum chassis components with stainless 

steel hardware. 

• VIBRATION/SHOCK ISOLATION: Stainless steel stranded wire cables with secondary rubber chassis isolators. 

Removable isolation system for easy installation. 

• TESTING/CERTIFICATIONS: MIL-STD 810G Environmental including Thermal Shock, 

IP65 dust/water Ingress, MIL-STD 810G Shock/Vibration, 75 G Crash Hazard 

Shock, MIL-STD 461F EMI. 

For more information call 877-412-6578 >>> www.gamberjohnson.com/Federal_Military 

Military ad_F.indd 1 

12/20/10 11:39 AM 


BRAC Spotlight 

“Grow the Army” Grows On 

As part of the U.S. Army’s “Grow the Army” Initiative, 

the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, 

today known as 4th BCT, 4th Infantry, has relocated 

successfully to Ft. Carson, CO from the Republic 

of South Korea, leading the first of a series of 

unit redeployments aimed at consolidating force 

effectiveness. 

Submitted by LTC David H. Patterson Jr. OCPA - Media 

Relations Division Media Team Chief, Operations, Intelligence 

and Logistics 

OIF Deployment 

In May 2004, the Department of Defense announced that the 

2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (2-2) stationed in South Korea 

would be deploying to Iraq in August as part of Operation Iraqi 

Freedom. The 2nd Brigade acted as a deterrent against North 

Korean aggression against the Republic of South Korea (ROK) 

and was based at Camp Hovey for the past 50 years. The 

deployment to Iraq was for one year and affected roughly 3,600- 

3,700 soldiers. The 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division was the 

Army’s only Light/Heavy Brigade with two Air Assault Battalions, 

the 1-503rd Infantry (Air Assault) and the 1-506th Infantry (Air 

Assault) and also had the 1-9th Infantry assigned to it. 

On 23 September 2004, the Department of the Army announced 

the temporary relocation of 2-2 from South Korea to Ft. Carson, 


CO following its deployment to Iraq. Temporary stationing of 2-2 

was operationally imperative to ensure the Army was postured 

to fully support its strategic global commitments. Additionally, 

2-2 was scheduled to transform into a campaign-quality force 

with joint and expeditionary capabilities to meet the demands 

of combatant commanders sometime in 2005. Shortly after 

redeployment to Ft. Carson after completing its first deployment 

since arriving from South Korea, 2-2 began transformation to 

the U.S. Army’s new modular force structure. Units previously 

held at division level were assigned and became organic to the 

unit, a key element of modular transformation. As a result, many 

of its units were reflagged. 

Homefront Reflaggings 

With 2-2’s redeployment stateside, some key reflaggings within 

the unit involved; 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, reflagged as the 

1st Battalion; 9th Infantry, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry reflagged 

as the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry; and 1st Battalion, 506th 

Infantry reflagged as the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry. The 2nd 

Battalion, 17th Field Artillery and 2nd Forward Support Battalion 

(re-designated 2nd Brigade Support Battalion) were also made 

organic to the new Brigade Combat Team (BCT). As part of the 

transformation, 2-2’s two Air Assault battalions were reassigned 

and reflagged as regular infantry battalions. In addition, 2-2 

gained a cavalry squadron -- the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry. 

The 2nd Forward Support Battalion was re-designated as the 

2nd Brigade Support Battalion and became organic to the BCT, 

as did the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery. 


In October 2006, the new 2-2 returned to Iraq in support of 

Operation Iraqi Freedom. After the deployment, the 2nd BCT 

returned to Ft. Carson and became part of a large reorganization 

of U.S. Army units. In April 2008, 2-2 was subsequently 

inactivated and its personnel and equipment were reflagged as 

the 4th Infantry BCT, 4th Infantry Division, the Army’s first of six 

Infantry BCTs added as part of the Grow the Army Initiative. 

Q: Please provide some brief background regarding the 

BRAC recommendation to move 2nd Brigade/2nd Infantry 

to Ft. Carson, Colorado. 

A: 2-2 ID was identified under BRAC 2005 but not recommended 

by the BRAC Commission. A detailed analysis was conducted 

using the BRAC process and Military Value Analysis to determine 

locations for stationing six Growth Infantry BCTs. The unit 

relocated from South Korea to Ft. Carson, CO under Global 

Defense Posture Realignment and Grow the Army to achieve 

Army end strength of 74.2K by FY13. 

Q: Please briefly explain the primary objectives for the 

relocation at the brigade/infantry level as well as Army-wide. 

A: Relocation of 2-2 ID was operationally imperative to ensure the 

Army was postured to fully support its strategic commitments. 

Additionally, the 2-2 ID transformed to a campaign-quality force 

with joint and expeditionary capabilities that met the demands 

of combatant commanders. Ft. Carson was selected based on 

existing facility capacities, available training space, and current 

locations of similar units. 

Q: Please provide a timetable for the planned phases of 

the move. 

A: In early 2005, the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division began 

transformation to the U.S. Army’s new modular force structure. 

Then unit deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. By 

August 2005, soldiers of the 2nd BCT, 2nd Infantry Division 

redeployed to Ft. Carson after completing the Brigade’s first 

deployment since the Korean War. In 2006, after redeploying 

to Ft. Carson, the unit began transformation to the U.S. Army’s 

new modular force structure-BCT. On 8 April 2008, the 2nd 

BCT, 2nd Infantry Division was inactivated and its personnel 

reflagged as the 4th BCT, 4th Infantry Division. 

Q: Please explain the re-integration of 2nd Brigade/2nd 

Infantry. 

A: The inactivation of the 2-2ID and reflagged to become the 4th 

BCT, 4th Infantry Division was part of the Grow the Army (GTA) 

Plan. The 2-2ID, now 4-4 ID was the first of six brigade combat 

teams programmed under GTA. 

Q: Please speak to any future objectives of 2nd Brigade/2nd 

Infantry. 

A: The 2nd Brigade 2nd Infantry, now re-designated as the 4th 

Infantry Brigade Combat Team 4th Infantry Division, stands 

ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to meet our 

nation’s call once again. 

For more info: www.first.army.mil 


FutureTech 

Headgear Integrated Comms 

3M, supplier of technology for commercial and defense application, has 

introduced an integrated communications solution for use with the Ops- 

Core FAST (Future Assault Shell Technology) Helmet. The new helmet 

attachment for new 3MPeltor ComTac Headset has been designed 

to interface with the Ops-Core ARC Kit (Accessory Rail Connector), offering 

FAST Helmet wearers combined protection and comms capability. 

Using a 3M mounting mechanism with two stainless steel cables 

connecting the ear cups of the ComTac headset to the side rails of the 

FAST Helmet, the integrated solution addresses the challenge of donning 

and doffing the helmet while reducing the need to modify the internal helmet 

padding for a proper fit. The spring tension on the ear cups allows for an 

“open” and “closed” position. The “open” position allows for easy donning/ 

doffing the helmet while the “closed” position is designed to positive seal 

against the head. The “open” position also provides ventilation in high heat 

environments but can permit the user to monitor radio communications via 

the speakers in the ear cups. Each ear cup can also be rotated 90 degrees 

to the rear and stored on the back of the helmet. 

For more info: www.peltormilitary.com or frank.gavin@mmm.com 

COTS Servers being Redesigned 

for Military Applications 

Military operations are being inundated with data from an expanding 

network of sources, including sensor data from Unmanned Aircraft 

Systems (UAS), satellites, and remote monitoring stations. A new 

white paper released by Z Microsystems, a provider of mission-ready 

computing systems, provides an in-depth analysis of how ruggedized 

servers are being redesigned by Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) 

suppliers to meet these demands. 

The white paper, entitled “Redesigning COTS Servers for Military 

Applications,” examines the ways in which rugged computer platforms 

can incorporate COTS motherboards and extend the capabilities of 

commercial components. The paper includes details on how systems can 

be designed to withstand shock, vibration, and temperature extremes 

while providing the versatility and flexibility needed in the field. Specific 

adaptations include hot-swappable component parts and disk drives, 

redundant power supplies, and rack-mount servers in place of laptops. 

“Whether on a Navy ship, an aircraft, or a UAS ground station in the 

middle of a desert, these operations rely on data center computing power,” 

said Jack Wade, CEO of Z Microsystems. “COTS manufacturers can use 

a variety of techniques at each stage of the design, manufacturing, and 

testing processes to meet U.S. Military Standards and ensure the system 

will be rugged enough for a particular application.” 

RF-EO Protection 

for Aircraft 

Elisra, a company specializing in EW, 

intelligence and communications solutions, has 

introduced an active and passive self-protection 

suite for helicopters and transport aircraft. The 

suite constitutes a new stage in the evolution of 

self-protection and survival systems for airborne 

platforms. Offering a complete and comprehensive 

RF-Laser-EO protection shell, it combines RWR, 

LWR, IR-PAWS, RF Jammer, laser DIRCM and 

Chaff/Flare dispensing functions, providing quick 

reaction time and effective responses to all types of 

threats. 

With seamless interoperability of components, 

the system searches and detects threats, provides 

warning and jamming against airborne and groundbased 

EO, RF and laser threats presented by all 

types of air defense systems, including missiles, 

MANPADS, ground-based fire, RPGs and others. 

The system also offers a host of additional capabilities 

including pinpoint geolocation of threats. 

For more info: natasha.pheiffer@baesystems.com 

For more info: www.zmicro.com 



FutureTech 

Combat-Rugged 

Computing 

Software-Defined Airborne Radio 

LogIn Crete AB has launched its new series of 

combat-rugged notebook computers – Rocky RT986 

and Rocky RK986. The newly launched combatrugged 

computers offer higher performance to run 

heavier, more demanding software. 

With a memory capacity of 8 GB and capacity 

of 1695 MB that can be dedicated to an Intel GMA 

4500 MHD graphics memory, limits experienced by 

previous variations in running advanced applications 

and map software have been overcome. Both Rocky 

RT986 and Rocky RK986 have Intel® Core 2 Duo 

Processors running at 2.26 GHz, cooled effectively 

via the chassis enabling quiet and reliable operation. 

Rocky RT986 and Rocky RK986 have also been 

upgraded to IP55 and now comply with the latest 

MIL-STD-810G and MIL-STD-461F. 

For more info: oskar.forssell@login.se 

Elbit Systems Ltd. (“Elbit Systems”) has announced 

the launch of its latest software-defined radio, the airborne 

Tadiran SDR-7200AR. Specifically designed for airborne 

platforms, this innovative radio system has automatic routing 

and relay capabilities to offer extended range, while offering 

video, voice and data simultaneously at an exceptionally high 

data rate. 

Embedded in the radio system are fundamental avionics 

applications for enhanced situational awareness, including 

video and safety enhancement features. These applications 

enable on-the-move commands and real-time intelligence 

updates that are automatically updated on a built-in C4I 

system. 

The Tadiran SDR-7200AR offers versatility in enabling 

direct support of air-to-air, air-to-sea and air-to-ground 

communications. The product is fully compliant with the 

Software Communications Architecture SCA version 2.2.2. 

For more info: www.elbitsystems.com 

Through its teaming agreement with General Dynamics 

Land Systems Canada (GDLS-C), BAE Systems, Land Systems 

South Africa recently won a contract worth more than $130 

million for survivability and mobility upgrades to its RG31 Mine 

Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. 

The upgrade kits will further enhance the survivability 

and mobility of battle-proven RG31 vehicles. As part of the 

modernization work in South Africa, a powerpack providing 

higher performance and new suspension components and 

transfer cases, designed and manufactured by BAE Systems, 

will be incorporated into the upgrade kits. 

RG31 MRAP READINESS AND SUSTAINMENT 

“We appreciate our ongoing relationship with GDLS-C as 

well as the confidence that the U.S. military has in the RG31 

vehicle. Readiness and Sustainment is an important part of 

our business and through these programmes we continue to 

protect the lives of U.S. soldiers,” said Johan Steyn, Managing 

Director BAE Systems, Land Systems South Africa. 

In total, over 1,600 RG31 vehicles have been delivered 

through GDLS-C under the MRAP program. An additional 

566 RG31s have been delivered to U.S. forces under separate 

contracts. 

For more info: www.generaldynamics.com 


Asymmetric Warfare Developments 

Mission: Enemy Misfire 

DoD’s Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) is developing the next 

generation of Rhino passive counter-passive infrared (PIR) sensor technology designed to 

trigger IED detonations before U.S. and coalition forces advance into harm’s way. 

By Anthony Richiazzi, PAO Tobyhanna Army Depot 

Even with the shift in the U.S. war effort 

to Afghanistan, IEDs remain the principal 

killer of American troops in combat. In 

Afghanistan — where the number of IED 

incidents doubled in 2009 and caused 75 

percent of casualties in some areas — the 

U.S. Joint Improvised Explosive Device 

Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) faces a new 

generation of more ingenious, and bigger, 

bombs. Even excluding those in Iraq and 

Afghanistan, there were nearly 3,300 IED 

incidents around the world in 2009. “The 

IED as a tactical weapon is a condition of 

our workplace in the armed forces,” says 

Michael Oates, JIEDDO Director. “We believe 

it will be a persistent threat.” 

Soldiers prepare to deploy RHINO during route clearance operations in theater. (U.S. Army photo) 

The introduction in 2006 of a new type of IED called the 

explosively formed penetrator, or EFP, to the fight in Iraq and 

today in Afghanistan brought a new challenge to a newlyformed 

JIEDDO in protecting U.S. and coalition warfighters. 

Made from a short length of steel or PVC pipe packed 

with explosives, EFPs are a sealed projectile capped with 

a concave copper disk. When the explosives detonate, 

the blast energy inverts the copper plate into a ragged 

slug traveling more than a mile per second and capable of 

punching through tank armor 300 feet away. Using passive 

infrared (PIR) sensors that detect motion by responding to 

changes in temperature — like that created by the engine of 

a passing truck, EFPs don’t use radio frequencies as triggers 

and, therefore, are invulnerable to electronic jamming. 

By May 2006, the effectiveness and frequency of EFP attacks 

had proved so devastating that JIEDDO introduced the first 

of two variations on its Rhino PIR and counter-PIR explosive 

advance-trigger system. Funding an expedient solution 

developed in the field, JIEDDO created Rhino with the intent 

to defeat PIR-triggered IEDs utilizing a boom-mounted glow 

plug that causes PIR-initiated IEDs to detonate prior to their 

intended targets entering the kill zone. The Rhino glow plug 

— an electric heating element for warming diesel engines 

before ignition — is housed in a steel box on the end of a 

10-foot boom. Heat emitted from the glow plug triggers EFPtriggering 

PIR sensors, causing the weapon to discharge in 

advance of target acquisition. 

In response to Rhino, insurgents adjusted the firing angle 

of their EFPs so that the slug struck 10 feet behind the 

decoy. JIEDDO countered with a Rhino II variant, fitted on an 

adjustable-length boom that presents the glow plug to the 

EFP’s PIR trigger earlier than its Rhino counterpart, ensuring 

premature firing. Along with electronic jammers, Rhino II 

became standard on U.S. vehicles in Iraq. 

By late 2008, JIEDDO had funded and fielded more than 

16,000 second-generation Rhino II systems, also providing 

upgrade kits that included heat monitoring systems with 

safety and performance improvements. JIEDDO continues 

to fund an effort to develop and deliver Rhino systems (Rhino 

III) that will meet the unique terrain requirements of the 

Afghanistan theater of operations. 

For more info: www.jieddo.dod.mil 



Rugged on the Move 

Tactical ATVs: 

Mobile, Unmanned, Mission-Versatile 

By Kevin Hunter, A&M Editor 

PFM Manufacturing, Inc. of Townsend, Montana manufactures 

the Land Tamer 6x6 class of commercial grade, low-impact, 

amphibious, remote access All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) that provide 

mobility capabilities for military tactical operations. Selected as the 

platform of choice for the Squad Mission Support System (SMSS) 

under development and in conjunction with Lockheed Martin, this 

autonomous platform is expected to be workhorse for a squad 

of soldiers and is expected to see real action in Afghanistan by 

the end of 2011. On the light ATV side, Phoenix International has 

introduced the Prowler Light Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (LTATV) 

configuration versatility in a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) 

platform capable of light tactical military missions in ISR, mobile 

communications, assault, or search and rescue. 

Multi-medium Capable 

Since 1998, PFM has been manufacturing the Land Tamer® 

to fill the need for a vehicle that will stand up to the commercial 

applications. This vehicle was designed from the ground up for 

heavy duty use. The Land Tamer is in use year around from the 

Arctic Circle to the Equator in all types of commercial applications 

in all types of terrain. A robust commercial grade amphibious 

vehicle, Land Tamer can be used as an ATV, boat, snow coach, 

and tractor. 

The Land Tamer RS (Reduced Size) 8x8 is a smaller version of 

the larger standard sized units, and can fit inside the V-22 Osprey 

with minor modifications. All Land Tamer vehicles feature our 

hydraulic/gear drive system requiring minimal maintenance. 

Land Tamer’s Water Propulsion Unit is powered from the vehicles 

built in hydraulic drive system. The 9” hydraulically driven propeller 

can be raised, lowered and steered from the driver’s seat. Speeds 

of 5-10 mph on water can be attained depending on cargo load. 

Quick installation and removal of the Propulsion System can be 

achieved in 1 minute or less and the vehicle can be used as a boat. 

Staying on Track 

As part of the Land Tamer® Track System, Land Tamer utilizes a 

custom rubber track feature. Implementing a 22” wide track that 

fits over the existing tires, operators can achieve quick installation 

by just driving onto the track and inserting the connecting pin. 

“The main benefit of tracks is that they allow the vehicle to lower the 

vehicle ground pressure from the already low 3 psi, down to less 

than 1 psi,” said Patrick Miller, PFM Manufacturing. “This allows 

the vehicle to travel over deep snow that otherwise would require a 

snowmobile to travel.” 

The Land Tamer® unique drive system allows the installation of 

tracks over the tires for year-around use in any terrain type. This is a 

unique capability and strength of the Land Tamer®’s go-anywhere, 

anytime, easy mission configurability. 

For winter travel, Land Tamer® can be configured with the 

fully enclosed, heated cab option. This can also be used as an 

ambulance to evacuate casualties, or accommodate a crew of 10 

in seats or sleep 6 people in bunks. The current cab is covered 

with unbreakable Lexan plastic glass but can be configured with a 

lightweight armor if or when extra protection is required. 


Maximize your response 

no matter how rugged 

the terrain. 

Turn your ATVs into rapid response vehicles with Intelagard’s 

SwiftCAF ATV system. Use the Intelagard SwiftRunner to 

turn your UTV into a dynamic response vehicle for maximum 

maneuverability and unparalleled capabilities. 

Powerful and effective, Intelagard equipment will quickly become 

your most versatile weapon of choice. Intelagard’s advanced CAF 

systems are self-contained, easy to use, and work equally well for fire 

suppression, hazmat remediation, and decontamination ops. These 

multi-asset systems were designed to switch between applications 

quickly and with few adjustments. 

Contact Intelagard today at 303.309.6309 or visit us 

at www.intelagard.com

Unmanned Option 

With a flip of as switch, Land Tamer offers operators an optional 

Light Tactical (LT) Remote Control System which allows the vehicle 

to be driven remotely as an unmanned platform. This benefit allows 

the vehicle to do dangerous jobs without endangering a driver. 

“The benefit of the optional 3-Point Hitch System is that Land 

Tamer® can be used as a remotely-operated tractor and a complete 

mobile power source,” said Miller. “The Category 1, 3 Point Hitch 

accepts any off-the-shelf farm and construction implements such 

as an earth moving blade, back hoe, mobile power generator or 

other equipment enabling a combat engineer capability in a light 

tactical platform. If desired, a remotely-controlled mine sweeping 

device could be attached.” 

Versatile Utility 

Phoenix International commercially introduced the industry’s 

first”quad”ATV with rack and pinion steering (no handlebars), 

automotive controls and a roll cage (now popularly called a Roll 

Over Protection System, or ROPS) in June 2002. An adaptation 

of this unique concept was made by a single recreational ATV 

manufacturer late in 2004 followed by others in 2006. 

mission equipped immediately upon ramp down - without any 

vehicle modification, disassembly, change or adjustment. 

Mobility and Durability 

Designed to operate with tires under the most demanding offroad 

and rugged terrain conditions, Prowler’s extreme duty 

double reinforced rim wheels do not dent, bend, twist or break. 

Prowler’s heavy duty undercarriage skid plate system can support 

the entire vehicle on a single point of contact. This means that if 

“high centered”, the vehicle needs only to be rocked with all wheel 

drive locked to pull off of a “hang up” point. All Prowler surfaces are 

industrial powder coated, not painted, for durability and long life. 

The Prowler platform design makes all routine service and 

maintenance points easily accessible for service without special 

tools, equipment or disassembly. Major engine and drive train 

parts and service is available from dealers worldwide. Effective 

operational capacity and acceptable mishap risk assessment 

within the constraints of potential mission requirements throughout 

the life cycle of Prowler platforms was and remains a critical factor 

in their design and evolution. 


The Prowler Light All-Terrain Vehicle (LTATV) was purposely 

designed as a commercially-available vehicle to provide reliable 

performance and endurance in the most demanding, inhospitable 

and harsh terrain encountered, and in any environment. The 

Prowler’s configuration versatility in a commercial-off-the-shelf 

(COTS) platform makes the platform a capable light tactical 

solution for military missions in ISR, mobile communications, 

assault, or search and rescue, as well as its similar domestic 

security patrol and emergency response vehicle (ERV) wildfire and 

rescue applications. 

Tactical Test Ready 

In military tactical applications, the Prowler is easily deployed, 

capable and nimble in hostile environments and is multi-mission 

configurable. Unlike any generic ATV-derived vehicle, the vehicle 

is built to provide maximum operator protection, enhance driver 

control, improve crew safety and reduce operator fatigue. 

The Prowler’s rugged design and construction incorporates roll 

cage and chrome alloy steel tubing components that won’t bend, 

crimp, dent or break versus typical ATV plastic panels and common 

steel stampings welded together. In 4WD, Prowler’s wheels have 

power delivered simultaneously to each wheel all the time, unlike 

modified recreational vehicles which only revert to 4-wheel drive if 

a rear wheel slips or spins. The Prowler keeps its engine engaged 

with the drive train at all times, with constant engine braking under 

all driving conditions. This means that the wheels turn slower as 

the engine revs lower, improving driver control and lengthening the 

life of its brakes. 

As well as transportable within most cargo Helos and fixed wing 

aircraft, Prowlers can be backed into the MV/CV-22 Tilt-Rotor 

OSPREY aircraft - ready to drive straight out, fully crewed and 


Unmanned & Beyond 

Unmanned Accompaniment 

The U.S. Army is fielding and the latest in small 

unmanned ground vehicle (SUGV) technology to 

provide the warfighter with critical mission support. 

Submitted by PEO GCS Public Affairs 

The Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems (PEO 

GCS) Robotic Systems Joint Project Office (RS JPO) is responsible for 

managing the development, acquisition, testing, systems integration, 

product improvement, and fielding of robotic systems for the joint 

warfighter. Systems include the M-160 Mechanical Anti-Personnel 

Mine Clearing System (MAPMCS), TALON Family of Systems (IIIB and 

IV), PackBot, FasTac, MARCBot, and the Small Unmanned Ground 

Vehicle (SUGV-310) otherwise known as the Mini-EOD. General 

improvements to robotic systems include increased agility, mobility, 

SWaP-C (Space, weight, Power and Cooling) and transportability. 

Small Utility, Big Capability 

The TALON is considered the workhorse of the ‘small’ robot family 

weighing in at 115 - 140 pounds. The unmanned ground vehicle 

(UGV) is a robotically controlled system that provides the warfighter 

with the ability to visually identify both stand-alone and vehicle-borne 

improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from a safe range. The TALON 

is also capable of supporting explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and 

provides additional engineer support that may not involve IEDs. The 

TALON is equipped with an extension arm, cameras, microphone 

loudspeaker, and a manipulator arm with a gripper. The infrared and 

white-light illuminated cameras provide the operator the ability to 

conduct operations in day or night conditions. 

TALON is used in conjunction with Mine Resistant Ambush- 

Protected (MRAP) vehicles and other ground assets to support route 

clearance missions. The TALON robot is used to visually inspect and 

interrogate suspect terrain anomalies, debris or other impediments. 

PEO GCS does not manage the MRAP systems. They are managed 

by Program Executive Office Combat Systems & Combat Support 

Systems (PEO CS & CSS). 

TALON RDS is managed by PM Assured Mobility Systems under 

PEO CS & CSS. The RDS enables transportation, deployment and 

operation of the TALON from within the host vehicle. It serves to 

alleviate the need for Soldiers to dismount to deploy and operate the 

TALON. 

Light Might for the War Fight 

The XM1216 SUGV is a lightweight (32 lb), man-portable, 

unmanned ground vehicle capable of conducting operations in urban 

terrain environments like tunnels, sewers, and caves. In order to 

minimize exposure of the warfighter to potential hazards, the SUGV 

provides an unmanned capability for manpower-intensive or high-risk 

missions such as IED and Chemical/Toxic Materials reconnaissance, 

as well as urban intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). 

Initial fielding of the SUGV is slated for April 2011. 

For more info: www.peogcs.army.mil 



Emerging Forecast / AFMC 

Global Reach, Global Power, 

and Global Vigilance 

The U.S. Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) is 

DoD’s primary organization for the development, 

fielding, and integrated life cycle management of 

materiel critical to joint combat forces at home 

and worldwide. 

Submitted by AFMC Public Affairs 

The U.S. Air Force Materiel Command’s mission is to deliver 

war-winning expeditionary capabilities to the warfighter. It does 

this by developing, fielding and sustaining the material that allows 

the U.S. Air Force to remain the most capable, flexible, and 

dominant military force in the world -- providing technology and 

systems that enable “Global Reach, Global Power, and Global 

Vigilance.” 

The command provides and sustains everything from fifthgeneration 

fighters like the F-22 and the F-35 to the new Airman 

Battle Uniform, supporting combat forces around the world. 

AFMC’s priorities include continuing to strengthen the 

command’s role in supporting the nuclear enterprise; implementing 

effective and efficient Integrated Life Cycle Management to support 

the warfighter; recruiting, training and retaining a high-performing 

workforce; nurturing and protecting our people and families; and 

being good stewards of government resources. 

Capabilities 

AFMC‘s greatest asset is its people. The command employs a 

highly professional and skilled command work force of more than 

83,000 military and civilian employees. They are organized into 

four broad mission areas: research and development, acquisition 

management, test and evaluation, and sustainment. 

In encompassing cradle-to-grave life-cycle management of 

warfighting systems, AFMC impacts the full spectrum of Air Force 

capabilities. In short, AFMC is responsible for equipping the Air 

Force so it can aim high and fly, fight and win today. 

Major Air Force Materiel 

Command Organizations 

AFMC is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 

OH. This is an appropriate home as the Wright Brothers perfected 

powered flight less than 2 miles from the Headquarters building 

— thus serving as a constant reminder of the innovative spirit the 

command strives to embody. 

In addition to its Headquarters, AFMC is made up of the 

following centers and organizations around the country: 

AFRL 

AFMC’s Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), responsible for 

science and technology, includes the Air Force Office of Scientific 

Research as well as nine technology directorates – Air Vehicles, 

Space Vehicles, Munitions, Sensors, Propulsion, Information, 

Human Effectiveness, Materials and Manufacturing Technology, 

and Directed Energy. 

Overarching science and technology priorities -- addressed 

by the laboratory -- include supporting the current fight while 

advancing breakthrough science and technology (S&T), developing 

balanced S&T investment strategy and portfolio, retaining critical 

competencies required to address the full range of Air Force S&T 

needs and ensuring that the S&T program is integrated into the Air 

Force requirements and programming process. They also include 

increasing emphasis on S&T that will reduce cyber vulnerabilities 



while emphasizing mission assurance; improving sustainment, 

affordability and availability of legacy systems; reducing energy 

dependence; enabling long-range strike; delivering autonomous 

systems envisioned in the Air Force’s New Horizons plans; and 

enhancing decision-making with improved situational awareness. 

Examples of AFRL’s ongoing and successful work include 

achievements with alternative fuels for Air Force fleets, 

development of laser technology for use on large aircraft, and 

development of a phased array antenna designed to maximize the 

use of commercial off-the-shelf components to communicate with 

satellites from the surface of the earth. 

Product Centers 

AFMC has three product centers, each of which is responsible 

for transitioning technologies into systems ready to be deployed 

to meet users’ needs. The centers are charged with developing 

and managing the acquisition of militarily effective and sustainable 

weapon systems: 

AAC: Air Armament Center (AAC), located at Eglin AFB, Fla., 

serves as the focal point for all Air Force armament. The center is 

responsible for development, acquisition, testing, and deployment 

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of all air-delivered weapons. It plans, direct and conduct test 

and evaluation of U.S. and allied air airmament, navigation and 

guidance systems, as well as command and control systems. 

They also support the largest base mobility commitment in the 

Air Force. 

ASC: Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) is located at Wright- 

Patterson AFB, OH. The center designs, develops and delivers 

dominant, war-winning airpower capabilities for the Air Force. 

Its portfolio of capabilities includes fighter/attack, long-range 

strike, reconnaissance, mobility, agile combat support, special 

operations forces, training, unmanned aircraft systems, human 

systems integration, and installation support 

ESC: Electronic Systems Center (ESC), located at Hanscom 

AFB, Mass., is the world leader in net-centric command and control; 

communications; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; 

and combat support systems. These integrated systems help 

the Air Force maintain all its daily operations across the globe 

and provide the situational awareness enabling battlespace 

dominance for U.S. and allied commanders. 

Examples of work done by the product centers include 

development and acquisition of the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned 

aerial vehicle (UAV). Aeronautical Systems Center manages 

development of the Reaper, and has been accelerating its 

acquisition to meet increasing requirements. The 42nd Attack 

Squadron at Creech AFB, Nev., recently received the first MQ-9 

Reaper nearly a year ahead of schedule, exceeding Air Combat 

Command requirements. Together with the MQ-1 Predator, the 

Reaper quickly became a workhorse for our warfighters. 

In another example, AFMC established the Aeronautical 

System Center’s Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures program 

in response to the man-portable anti-aircraft missiles threat to 

intra-theater airlift. Many C-130s and C-17s aircraft are now 

LAIRCM-equipped. 

The Space Fence program is another example of the work 

done by AFMC’s product centers. Managed by the Electronic 

Systems Center, the Space Fence will deliver a system of 

geographically dispersed ground-based sensors to track space 

debris and provide timely assessment of space events. The total 

anticipated value of the program is more than $3.5 billion. 

AFMC also developed the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile 

(JASSM), the nation’s only stealthy, conventional, precision, 

launch-and-leave, standoff missile capable of being launched 

from fighter and bomber aircraft. Developed at the Air Armament 

Center, JASSM is 2,000-pound class weapon with a highly lethal 

combination penetrator/blast fragmentation warhead. It cruises 

autonomously in adverse weather, day or night, using a state-ofthe-art 

infrared seeker in addition to the anti-jam GPS to find a 

specific aimpoint on the target. 

Expo attendance is open to military, federal, state and local government and defense industry personnel that are actively engaged in defense and security 

related operations. A valid government issued photo ID is required for entry. No entry to anyone under 18 years of age unless on active military duty. 

Admittance to SpecOps West is at the sole discretion of show organizers. 



C 


Test and Evaluation Centers 

AFMC ensures its systems will meet the demands of the military 

environment through extensive test and evaluation provided by its 

test centers. The command operates two dedicated test centers 

and a separate test wing where it pushes aircraft, spacecraft, and 

air armament to the limit. 

These unique facilities research, evaluate, and test developing 

air and space capabilities in both controlled and real-world 

environments: 

AFFTC: Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), located at 

Edwards AFB, CA, is the world’s premier flight test facility, dating 

back to the days of Chuck Yeager in the Bell X-1. They’ve tested 

and evaluated manned and unmanned systems such as the F-22A, 

the X-45 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, Global Hawk, Airborne 

Laser, and the F-35. AFFTC is also the home of the United States 

Air Force Test Pilot School. Although renowned for open air flight 

testing of manned aircraft, AFFTC also is paving the future in testing 

of electronic warfare systems, UAVs, net-centric warfare, directed 

energy, and hypersonics. 

AEDC: Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) at 

Arnold AFB, TN., operates pre-flight test facilities capable of 

simulating flight conditions from sea level to the edge of space 

and speeds from zero through Mach 14. AEDC has nearly 60 

propulsion and aerodynamic wind tunnels (including one that’s 

the largest in the world), rocket and turbine engine test cells, and 

space environmental chambers. Nearly every U.S. military aircraft, 

both military and commercial aircraft engines and many satellites 

systems have been tested at AEDC since it opened in 1951. 

46 TW: The 46th Test Wing at Eglin AFB, FL., is the primary test 

facility for all Air Force armament. It operates unique climatic labs 

capable of testing airframes covering the full spectrum of weather 

conditions from hot, dry deserts, to icy, sub-zero tundra – and 

virtually every combination in between. The wing is also responsible 

for testing systems against cyber attack. 

Other examples of work done by the Test and Evaluation Centers 

include test and evaluation of the Airborne Laser (ABL). In 2007, 

AFMC executed the AFFTC’s ABL test program and successfully 

demonstrated effective firing of the ABL from an airborne-platform 

as well as its ability to track airborne targets –achieving two major 

program milestones stepping closer to one of tomorrow’s critical 

directed energy capabilities. 

The Towed Airborne Plume missile simulator (TAPS) is the 

product of Arnold Engineering Development Center, where it was 

Key Marine Commands will be on-hand to learn about cutting-edge 

products and services including: ground combat arms; equipment and 

systems for operational support units; and information technology systems 

and services designed for the USMC market. 

The Latest Technology from exhibitors displaying bold new 

prototypes, computer simulations, software and equipment that will enable 

the Marine Corps to meet the challenges of the 21st century. 

Come Together to Learn about the nation’s advances in elite 

defense products, equipment and services being designed and produced 

to meet the changing needs of tomorrow’s USMC! 

To showcase your products and services, please contact: 

Charlie Baisley at 703.812.2741 charles.baisley@nielsen.com 

Jaymie Amos-Nielsen at 980.328.8801 jaymie.nielsen@nielsen.com 

http://www.marinemilitaryexpos.com 

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both built and tested. TAPS was created to test early warning 

sensors on military aircraft, thus helping to protect low-flying military 

aircraft operating in hostile air space. 

Sustainment Centers 

As AFMC develops and tests new weapons systems, its people 

continue monitoring and shepherding those systems to make sure 

they are maintained and sustained throughout their service lives. 

The sustainment mission is even more demanding today as the Air 

Force’s aircraft fleet is the oldest in history, with an average age of 

25 years, and many well over 40 years old. 

To carry out this mission, AFMC manages several sustainment 

centers -- highly industrialized complexes focused on providing 

comprehensive depot-level maintenance and repair of all current 

and future USAF air and space systems. These complexes include 

three air logistics centers (ALCs), the Air Force Nuclear Weapons 

Center and Air Force Global Logistics Support Center. 

ALCs include the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and 

Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, which reports 

to the air logistics center in Oklahoma and serves as the DoD’s 

single repository for stored aircraft. ALCs also provide support at 

numerous field locations both in country and overseas: 

OC-ALC: Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center (OC-ALC) at 

Tinker AFB, OK., manages logistics support mainly for large 

aircraft, such as the B-1, B-2, B-52, KC-10, C/KC-135, E-3 

and E-4B aircraft. In addition, the ALC manages a number 

of contract logistics support aircraft, including the VC-25A, or 

Air Force One. It is also the Air Force Center of Excellence for 

sustainment of all engines. 

OO-ALC: Ogden Air Logistics Center (OO-ALC) at Hill AFB, 

UT, provides worldwide support for aircraft such as the F-16, 

F-22, T-37, T-38, C-130 and A-10, as well as ICBMs. The 

center also manages and repairs a wide range of components 

such as landing gear, rocket motors, avionics and other 

related aerospace items. It has also taken over storage for all 

Department of Defense retired aircraft through the 309th Aircraft 

Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, 

AZ. 

WR-ALC: Warner Robins Air Logistics Center (WR-ALC) at 

Robins AFB, GA, provides depot maintenance support for large 

transport aircraft such as the C-5, C-17 and C-130; supports 

the U-2 and F-15; and helicopters and electronic warfare 

systems. 

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For more information on 

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NDIA expositions contact: 

Luellen Hoffman 

Director of Exhibits 

Phone: 703-247-9460 

Email: lhoffman@ndia.org 

2011 Joint Service Power 

Expo – #1670 

“Smaller, Better, Greener – 

Reducing the Energy 

Footprint” 

May 2-5, 2011 Myrtle Beach, SC 

Key officials from all levels of 

government responsible for setting 

requirements and fielding means 

of portable power will be there. 

Global Explosive Ordnance 

Disposal Conference & 

Exhibition – #1950 

“Attacking the Network” 

May 3-5, 2011 Ft. Walton Beach, FL 

Produced by NDIA with the Office 

of the Secretary of Defense Under 

Secretary for Policy, Assistant 

Secretary of Defense for Special 

Operations Low Intensity Conflict 

& Interdependent Capabilities 

(SOLIC & IC) and the Explosive 

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2011 Ground Robotic 

Capabilities Conference & 

Exhibition – #1380 

“Saving Lives, Saving $ – Are 

Robot Recruits the Answer?” 

March 22-24, 2011 Orlando, FL 

This conference provides the 

opportunity to network with 

government, military and industry 

leaders in the robotics world. 

For more information on these and other NDIA conferences visit us on the web at www.ndia.org 




AFMC’s ALCs have won numerous awards for excellence 

in industrial operations management and are leading the way in 

ensuring aircraft are available and mission ready for the warfighter. 

AFNWC: Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), at 

Kirtland Air Force Base, NM, serves as the command’s Center of 

Expertise for nuclear weapon systems. The center is critical to 

ensuring the safety, security, and reliability of nuclear weapons to 

support the National Command Structure. It performs this role 

through acquisition, modernization, and sustainment of nuclear 

system programs for both DoD and the Department of Energy. 

The AFNWC serves as a single manager for lifecycle support, 

stockpile support and nuclear engineering. It was established 

in 2008 and reached initial operational capability in January 

2011. Creation of the AFNWC consolidated alignment of people, 

training, and resources. 

people and events that comprise the Air Force storyline, from the 

beginnings of military flight to today’s current operations. 

Along with more than 480 volunteers, the museum has a 

professional staff of nearly 100 that include education, research, 

exhibits, restoration, collection management, special events, 

plans and programs, and public affairs divisions. 

For more info: www.afmc.af.mil 

For your complimentary 

subscription, please 

visit our website at 

tacticaldefensemedia.com 

AFGLSC: Air Force Global Logistics Support Center 

(AFGLSC), located at Scott Air Force Base, IL, is the single Air 

Force Supply Chain Management owner and provides enterprise 

planning and execution, global command and control, and supply 

chain enabling functions. 

The center is comprised of more than 4,800 people at six 

operating locations: Langley, Hill, Robins, Scott, Tinker, and 

Wright-Patterson Air Force bases. This includes networking 

logistics experts who link wholesale and retail logistics, as well 

as integrate and oversee all logistic processes, technology and 

resources to deliver end-to-end warfighter support with increased 

velocity and reduced cost. 

Specialized Units 

AFSAC: Air Force Security Assistance Center (AFSAC) is 

located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. The center 

is the Air Force’s security assistance agent for administering 

$92.7 billion in foreign military sales to more than 96 countries, 

operating more than 6,000 aircraft and other weapon systems. 

Along with this, AFSAC is responsible for sustaining aerospace 

capability for friendly foreign forces in support of U.S. national 

security objectives. Within the center, about 420 military, civilian 

and contractor personnel and foreign liaison officers are helping 

to build partner Air Force capabilities, contributing to strong 

relationships and interoperability. 

NMUSAF: The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force 

(NMUSAF) is located in Dayton, Ohio, next to Wright-Patterson 

Air Force Base. The museum is the service’s national institution 

for preserving and presenting the Air Force story. Each year more 

than 1 million visitors come to the museum to learn about the 

mission, history and evolving capabilities of America’s Air Force. 

The museum is the world’s largest and oldest military aviation 

museum featuring more than 400 aerospace vehicles amid more 

than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. Thousands of personal 

artifacts, photographs and documents further highlight the 

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Ad Index 

Features 

Calendar of Events 


Gen. Duncan McNabb 

Commander 

U.S. Transportation Command 

Armor Evolution: Training Critical to Success 

As a follow-on article to the March feature 

entitled “Evolution of Armor in Modern 

Combat”, A&M offers readers a look at how 

evolving armor training requirements are 

enabling units such as the Marine Corps’ Delta 

Company, 1st Tank Battalion to meet threats on 

the future battlefield. 

Tactical Radio C2 

The U.S. Army is employing the latest in 

handheld digital radio technology in support 

of enhanced command and control across a 

brigade combat team-led force structure. 

Ground Soldier Ensemble 

U.S. Army dismounted combat soldiers may 

soon be wearing the most advanced body 

armor system in the world, complete with 

hi-tech comms, situational awareness, and 

C4ISR capabilities. 

Recurring Highlights 

Strategic Leadership: PEO EIS 

BRAC Spotlight: Ft. Belvoir/DTRA 

Unmanned & Beyond: EOD 

Asymmetric Warfare Developments: 

Army AWG 

Rugged on the Move: Army Marketplace 

March 28-29 

Soldier Technology 

Ft. Hood, TX 

www.idga.com 

April 6-7 

Reconnaissance Summit 


www.fbcinc.com 

April 19-20 

Tactical Vehicles Summit 

Alexandria, VA 

www.idga.com 

2011 May 


April 27-28 

Marine South 

Camp Lejeune, NC 

www.marinemilitaryexpos.com 

May 3-4 

Joint Service Power Expo 

Myrtle Beach, SC 

www.ndia.org 

May 3-5 

Global EOD Conference 

Ft. Walton Beach, FL 

www.ndia.org 

Emerging Forecast 

U.S. Special Operations 

Command 

The U.S. Special Operations 

Command (USSOCOM) is 

DoD’s top organization in 

the joint special operations 

forces (SOF) community, 

synchronizes the planning 

of global counterterrorism 

operations in defense of U.S. 

interests worldwide. 

Bonus Distribution 

SpecOps Warfighters West 

Joint Warfighers Conf & Expo 

Military Armor Protection 

Joint CBRNE 

Special Ops Industry Conf 

Command & Control 

Sustainment Symposium 

ArmorCon Expo 

May 9-12 

2011 Environment, Energy 

& Sustainability Expo 

New Orleans, LA 

www.ndia.org 

May 17-19 

2011 SOFIC 

Tampa, FL 

www.ndia.org 

May 17-19 

FPED VIII 

Stafford, VA 

www.fped8.org 

Abaxis.................................................. 19 

www.abaxis.com 

Combat Medical Systems.................... 10 

www.combatmedicalsystems.com 

FBC...................................................... 33 

www.fbcinc.com 

Gamber-Johnson................................. 25 

www.gamberjohnson.com/federal_ 

military 

IDGA..................................................... 39 

www.ArmorConExpo.com/AM 

Intelagard............................................. 32 

www.intelagard.com 

ITT........................................................C3 

www.itt.com/vsas 

L-3 – MPRI........................................... 12 

www.mpri.com 

Loadstar Group.................................... 36 

www.specopswest.com 

L-3 – RCCS..........................................C4 

www.L-3com.com/rcc 

Marine South........................................ 37 

www.nielson.com 

Military Systems Group........................ 17 

www.milsysgroup.com 

Joint Service Power Expo.................... 18 

www.ndia.org 

NDIA..................................................... 38 

www.ndia.org 

TEA.......................................................C2 

www.teaheadsets.com 

Textron................................................... 7 

www.textronmarineandland.com 

VMR Electronics..................................... 3 

www.vmrelectronics.com 

www.tacticaldefensemedia.com 

The advertisers index is provided as a service to our readers. Tactical Defense Media cannot be held responsible for discrepancies due to last-minute changes or alterations.

Enhanced situational awareness is not new. But until now, getting the full picture meant bolting 

on a tangle of equipment, or sticking one’s neck out. Literally. With ITT’s Visual Situation 

Awareness System (VSAS), warfighters benefit from a 360º display of hostile surroundings while 

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They’re already sticking their necks out for us. 

No point in them sticking their heads out too. 

E l e c t r o n i c S y s t e m s • G e o s p a t i a l S y s t e m s • I n f o r m a t i o n S y s t e m s • M i s s i o n S y s t e m s 

ITT, the Engineered Blocks logo, and ENGINEERED FOR LIFE are registered trademarks of ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc., and are used under license. ©2011, ITT Corporation.

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L-3 integrates its proven sensors, controls and displays into a rapidly reconfigurable 

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backbone network that provides C 4 ISR and sensor connectivity on any fighting 

vehicle. By offering the benefits of modularity, scalability and true “plug and play” 

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Commander's Corner - PEO STRI - U.S. Army

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